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LSTA OHIO FULL GRANTS - 2009

The FY09 Full Grant program for eligible libraries in Ohio will run from October 1, 2009 through September 30, 2010. Funds may be used for items and activities which will assist a library in meeting one of the two broad based purposes of LSTA: 1) technological innovation and electronic linkages, and 2) services to the underserved. Grant proposals may be initiated by eligible public, school, academic, research, or special libraries.

The State Library of Ohio worked closely with a fifteen member Advisory Council which was broadly representative of the Ohio library community to develop a Five–Year Plan (2008–2010) for the use of LSTA funds in Ohio. Based on the evaluation of the 2003–2007 Five–Year Plan it was determined that while much progress has been made in addressing the original six needs in the Plan, they continue to be relevant. These needs were and continue to be: Strengthening ties between OPLIN, OhioLINK and INFOhio; Statewide Resource Sharing (ILL and Delivery;) Automation of Non–automated Libraries; Encouraging Library Cooperation; Training and Technical Support; and Services to Underserved Populations.

 
II. Grant Programs

Based upon these identified needs and with the LSTA Advisory Council's guidance a Request for Proposals (RFP) was developed. This has been modified to more accurately address the needs of Ohio citizens and the reporting needs of the State Library and the Institute of Museum and Library Services.

The State Library is soliciting proposals in the following categories:

• Innovative technology: to provide access to library services and resources using new, innovative or cutting edge technologies and to provide links to other educational, social or informational services or providers.
• Staff development and training: to provide technology literacy training on all levels to staff and the user public.
• Services to Target Populations: to provide services to targeted populations including, but not limited to, people of diverse geographic, cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds, individuals with disabilities, persons with limited functional literacy and information skills, and those individuals having difficulty using a library
• Services to youth: to provide services to children in poverty and those children from families with incomes below the poverty line.

The State Library is especially interested in those proposals that demonstrate library cooperation and partnerships in achieving any of the above areas.

Additional concepts are located in Section V.

A) The LSTA grant process is a competitive one. Funded projects will be selected on the basis of 1) congruency of the local project priorities with the priorities stated in the LSTA Plan; 2) number of citizens who would benefit by funding the project; and 3) strength of the evaluation of the project.

B) It is anticipated that the majority of funded proposals will be in the range of $50,000 to $150,000 in federal funds. Applicants requesting more than this amount in federal funds must present compelling reasons that the proposal responds to a well–documented need and there would be significant positive impact on a large number of library patrons.

C) Proposals requesting under $24,000 in federal funds should be submitted as a minigrant in the next grant cycle.

D) The State Library is especially interested in proposals which demonstrate one or more of the following priorities:

• Application of innovative technology.
• Programs which address narrowing the digital divide by providing services to those with limited access to technology.
• Programs to assist with the economic development of the community, such as projects and/or training to assist job seekers
• Programs which provide services to youth in poverty, as defined by the federal government.
• Programs which provide services to the disabled.
• Programs which provide services to a specific, targeted population in the library's service area.

E) LSTA grant recipients must complete all reporting requirements as outlined in the contract. Failure to complete these requirements may impact a library's consideration for future LSTA grants.

 IV. Eligibility/Requirements

Public libraries must be eligible to receive Local Library and Government Support Funds (LLGSF).

School libraries must be located in a school that is accredited by the state.

Academic libraries must be part of an accredited institution of higher learning.

Special libraries must be willing to share their resources.

Library Consortia

V. CIPA Requirements

CIPA (the Children's Internet Protection Act) will apply to school and public libraries which use LSTA funds to purchase computers to access the Internet or pay for the direct costs of accessing the Internet. Because of the way Ohio allocates LSTA funds, for this year's grants:

• Public libraries must indicate they are in compliance with CIPA.
• School libraries must indicate they are in compliance with CIPA requirements.
• Consortium or group applicants must collect and maintain appropriate certifications from school and/or public library participants and provide a certification on behalf of the group to the State Library.
• Academic and special libraries are exempt from CIPA requirements.
• CIPA does not apply to libraries applying for funds for LSTA grants that do not provide Internet related programs.

VI. Programmatic Guidelines

LSTA funds are intended to be used as seed moneys, not for ongoing operational costs.

Personnel and fringe benefit costs are non–allowable expenses in the program budget.

Electronic databases are non–allowable expenses in the program budget.

Proposals for automation upgrades and/or system migrations will not be accepted. The LSTA Advisory Council believes that system migrations and upgrades are an ongoing operational expense associated with automation.

No overhead charges or contingency funds will be approved in program budgets submitted by libraries or other agencies applying for a grant for their own purposes; an administrative fee is allowable to a library acting as a fiscal agent on behalf of a group of libraries. This fee shall not exceed 4%.

A financial match of 25% of the total project cost is required from the institution. In–kind contributions do not qualify as match. For example, if the total project cost is $20,000 the federal request would be $15,000 and the local match would be $5,000. For a project total of $120,000 the federal portion would be $90,000 and the local portion would be $30,000.

Only one proposal per institution will be funded. "Institution" is defined as the administering official authorized to sign the project application and contract. For a definition of what constitutes an administering official see Title Page Guidelines.

Proposals must be focused on the priorities of the LSTA Plan including, but not limited to:

1. Programs which address narrowing the digital divide by providing services to those with limited access to technology.
2. Allowing a library or libraries to introduce new technologies to the library and the public.
3. Providing continuing education and training opportunities in emerging technologies, information literacy training and use of information resources.
4. Allowing libraries to utilize technology, including assistive adaptive devices, to improve access to information to underserved individuals.
5. Providing library services to persons with limited English speaking skills and to ethnically and culturally diverse populations.
6. Providing equity of information access to youth, particularly youth in poverty.
7. Initiating family literacy programs and other library services which target families below the poverty line.

 VII. Proposal Format

Proposals should provide a clear description of the program and related activities to be funded by LSTA under the appropriate category or categories. The description should address all relevant criteria delineated in Section III and the proposal elements delineated in Section VII.

As an appendix, applicants should state how they will publicize the project and its results to the local community, including (as appropriate) the school board, local government, civic leaders, and social service agencies.

To qualify for review, proposals must conform to the following:

Be no more than 20 pages in length, not including Title Page, Project Summary, Abstract, Budget, and Appendices.

An original and 6 copies must be submitted to the State Library.

Failure to conform to the Proposal Format will result in disqualification.

 VIII. Proposal Description

A panel of reviewers will review and recommend grants for funding. Proposals will be evaluated on the following factors and assigned a total number of points. The proposal should consist of the following:

Title Page – Provide all required information in the format as indicated on the Title Page Guidelines & Sample.

Table of Contents

Project Summary

Abstract (limited to one page)

1. General Description of the Project (18 pt.)

State the purpose of the project in relation to identified needs.

Explain how the project relates to the long range plans of the library(ies) involved.

Provide measurable objectives that will assist in achieving the stated need.

2.  Relation of Project to LSTA Goals (13 pt.)

Indicate the number of libraries and/or partners involved in the project.

Explain the connection of this project to other existing programs (such as, but not limited to, regional library systems or other state consortia, the three statewide information network providers, other organizations providing similar products and/or services).

Select one of the following purposes of LSTA and explain how this project meets this federal purpose.

• Expanding services for learning and access to information and educational resources in a variety of formats, in all types of libraries, for individuals of all ages.
• Developing library services that provide all users access to information through local, state, regional, national and international electronic networks.
• Providing electronic and other linkages among and between all types of libraries.
• Developing public and private partnerships with other agencies and community-based organizations
• Targeting library services to individuals of diverse geographic, cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds, to individuals with disabilities, and to individuals with limited functional literacy or information skills.
• Targeting library and information services to persons having difficulty using a library and to underserved urban and rural communities, including children (from birth through age 17) from families with incomes below the poverty line.

Select one of the following LSTA goals and explain how this project will assist the State Library in meeting this goal.  (more detail on the LSTA goals can be found in the Five Year Plan.

• Goal 1: To ensure that all libraries use technology to improve services and facilitate access to materials and information resources for all residents.
• Goal 2: Facilitate and conduct continuing education and training opportunities for library staff.  All training will address the priorities of the LSTA legislation with particular emphasis on strengthening the abilities of library staff to access library resources and information to benefit the library user. 
• Goal 3: Encourage libraries to provide information and access to library services to those having difficulty using the library.
• Goal 4:  Support the role libraries play in children’s lives, particularly children at-risk, birth to age 5, and their ongoing success in school and as lifelong learners.

3. Technical Plan (10 pt.)

Show the appropriateness of specified components (hardware, software, training methodology, materials, programs) to achieve the proposal and accomplish the objectives.

4. Management Plan (14 pt.)

Provide background/qualifications of key personnel implementing the project.

5. Project Sustainability (10 pt.)

Include a plan to continue the project once the grant period is concluded.

6. Evaluation (15 pt.)

Present a plan to monitor achievement of objectives.

Present a plan to determine impact/outcomes of project. Your evaluation section should include both outputs and outcomes.

7. Budget (15 pt.)

Provide a budget narrative indicating the reasons for selecting items appearing in the budget and their purposes in fulfilling the objectives of the proposal.

Identify major categories of expenditures and details on specific items within those categories. Include a budget justification for major components within the budget.

Describe the degree of match by category and by items within the category. Provide all required information in the format as indicated in the Budget Page Guidelines.

8. Format (5 pts.)

The proposal conforms to all format requirements, the title page follows the outline given in the Sample Title Page Guidelines, and the budget follows the outline given in the Sample Budget Page Guidelines. The Abstract and Project Summary provide a concise overview of the project.

An original and six copies of the proposal should be sent to:

LSTA Office
State Library of Ohio
274 East First Avenue, Suite 100
Columbus, OH 43201

Questions regarding the proposal process should be addressed to:

Missy Lodge
Head, Library Programs and Development
(614) 644–6914
(800) 686–1532
mlodge@sloma.state.oh.us

Proposals will be reviewed by an appropriate sub–committee of the LSTA Advisory Council, using the above review guidelines. Recommended proposals will be presented to the State Library Board in September for funding. Proposal implementation may not begin prior to State Library Board action. Approved projects will begin October 1, 2009 and terminate September 30, 2010.

All proposals must be received by 4:00 p.m. April 23,  2009